The 2019 Nebraska Class C2 State Champion Oakland-Craig football team has cancelled their high school football season in Nebraska due to low numbers. From “state champs” to “cancelled season” in just six years. This comes as the concerning trend in the decline of high school football participation rears it’s ugly head once again heading into the 2025 season.

Since 2006, the estimated participation numbers in high school football have fallen 17 percent from 1.1 million players to just over 900,000 players nationally. This trend is forcing many schools to elect to move from 11-man football down to 8-man or 8-man down to 6-man. Some, like Oakland-Craig, have had to cancel their seasons altogether.

For some local schools in our area, like Johnson County Central and Pawnee City, this means self-imposed penalties of being playoff ineligible – just so they can field a team at all. In 2024, Pawnee City went 8-0 – an undefeated season that ended before the playoffs even started as they opted to play down a level. A tough choice that had to be made so a season could be played. Likewise, JCC went 6-2 and likely would have made the playoffs would they have been eligible. They too though opted to play down a level.

Not all schools are feeling the burden of having to make these tough decisions though. Falls City Sacred Heart head football coach Doug Goltz is happy with his participation numbers this season where 20 out of the 27 boys in the small class D2 high school went out for football. However, he also stated, “I am concerned where the game of football is heading” when discussing the trend of declining participation.

But what is the cause? That answer likely depends on who you ask. The early 2000’s study of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (also known as CTE) is certainly playing a role among many parents who are hesitant about letting their child play tackle football. A 2017 study by Boston University also found 110 or the 111 deceased former NFL players they examined had CTE. While Goltz did note the safety concern, he was quick to point out the positives of the last few years as well. He said, “concussions are a fear even though we have better equipment and coaching methods being taught along with more knowledge about concussions.”

Safety likely isn’t the only cause though. Goltz also stated, “kids in general don’t seem as motivated to play for their high school team – some would rather do something else or worse yet, nothing at all.” He also wonders if the decline of the Nebraska football program has anything to do with it. Goltz said “the Huskers are not as relevant as they once were – it used to seem like every boy wanted to play for their high school football team.” He believes the Big Red had something to do with that mentality.

Like I said – depending on who you ask, you might get everything from kids safety to kids not wanting to do anything. Let’s also be clear – this problem isn’t just confined to football at the high school level either. Last year was the first year where having 2-Quarter JV basketball games (or less) was the norm and not the exception for schools who, just a few years ago, would have had 20+ participants. Goltz, like many others in his position, is trying everything while also stating, “I don’t have many answers.” It’s a frustration felt by coaches across the country.

Whatever the cause though, it all means the same thing at the end of the day. Low participation numbers, self-imposed playoff restrictions, and seasons that hinge on not having too many players getting injured. For some schools, such as the Oakland-Craig football team, it also now means an entire year without the opportunity to play. The Kings of Class C2 just six years ago won’t play a single down of football in 2025.